When it comes to controlling termites, it can be challenging at the best of times.
Termites can tunnel 50 metres or more from their nest in search of a food source, such as timber floorboards or other susceptible timber. They can enter through wood in direct contact with soil or build mud tunnels from the ground to the lowest accessible timber. From there they can access the rest of the property, whether that is a residential home or a commercial building, including the structural timbers in the walls and the roof.
Termites are one of the most destructive timber pests, so when dealing with active termites, whether it’s a homeowner or the owner of a commercial building, everybody wants to bring the termites under control very quickly to minimize damage.
As Pest Control Operators, it is our duty of care to offer a range of options which may include a chemical barrier, termite dusting or foaming, or a termite baiting system.
A liquid chemical application creates a continuous treated-zone around the structure. For the application to be effective, the treatment will involve trenching and drilling to create a treated-zone. This method can be quite labor intensive, and in some circumstances, due to the construction of the building, is not always possible.
Dusts are generally applied directly to termite activity and are intended as a curative treatment to eliminate the activity which is present at the time. Foams are generally applied when termite activity is inaccessible or where a liquid termiticide may be difficult to apply. Dusting and foaming, however, do not offer any long-term protection and in fact can be detrimental to a long-term treatment plan when using a baiting system.
A termite baiting system such as Agenda® Termite Baiting System from Bayer, can offer colony elimination as well as long-term ongoing protection. It offers three different components; the In-Ground Station, the On-Ground Station and the Above-Ground station.
The In-Ground station has a diameter of 150 mm and a depth of 160 mm which is a shorter depth than other In-Ground stations, for easier installation. It contains two types of timber, Tasmanian Oak and Radiata pine plus an aerial for easy location identification.
The On-Ground Station can be installed effectively with minimal impact; no digging or concrete core-drilling and can be easily removed if required. Trials carried out in the US indicate that stations on or above the ground are found much sooner than stations placed in the ground.
Agenda comes ready to use in a foil pouch containing a self-mixing bait, Chlorfluazuron, which is easy to use, it negates the requirement to mix or handle the bait therefore removing any chance of contamination.
Each pouch has 170 g of bait, simply add 600 mL of water and the bait mixes itself. The foil pouch doubles as an above-ground station which can be added directly to the termite activity. The bait can also be added directly to In-Ground or On-ground stations.
The Agenda system is so versatile that all the componentry can be bought separately, making it very easy to create a custom-made individual treatment plan regardless of the situation.
Wendell Arnett, Territory Business Development Manager (NSW/ACT/WA) at Bayer, said: “Earlier this year, a customer Global Pest Solutions contacted me for advice on a group of shops, one of which was being attacked by termites. The shop in question happened to be the local Veterinary clinic.
“The Vet was a little concerned about the use of chemicals around the animals and staff. I reassured the Vet that the Agenda Termite Bait was non-toxic to animals and humans. The bait itself is contained within the foil pouch and should the bait get damaged or tampered with after the installation, the risk of any adverse effects to humans or animals would be minimal.
“The active ingredient is a Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor (CSI), an insect growth regulator that stops the formulation of chitin in the exoskeleton of insects. CSIs are particularly effective as termite baits. Not only do they affect the termite moulting process but also the eggs once the queen has been fed. Once affected the termite grows normally until it tries to moult but is unable to form a new exoskeleton properly. The termite colony collapses and dies. The time it takes for this process to happen will be dependent on several factors -- the species of termite, colony size and time of the year.
Nick Lambos from Global Pest Solutions said “several above-ground bait stations were placed within the termite activity around different parts of the building. We monitored the termite activity and replenished the baits as required over the coming months and eliminated the termite colony. I am pleased to say it has now been 12 months since the initial Agenda baiting treatment was carried out and there has been no termite activity since! I would certainly recommend the Agenda Termite Baiting System, it’s an excellent product and our many thanks to Wendell for his time and advice.
For further information:
Wendell Arnett (m) 0407 396232